Town will discuss roundabouts with FDOT

Pedestrians, bicyclists and roundabouts.

Those are the three top priorities right now for the Florida Department of Transportation. 

Knowing this, a consultant the town of Longboat Key hired to create preliminary designs for roundabouts on Gulf of Mexico Drive at Broadway and Longboat Club Road thinks the island has good chance of getting roundabout approvals. 

“These roundabouts incorporate all three of these top priorities,” said roundabout consultant Michael Wallwork of Alternate Street Designs. “It would put your roundabouts high up on the desirability list.”

Using traffic count data the Florida Department of Transportation obtained in January, Wallwork believes a one-lane roundabout at both Broadway and Longboat Club Road on Gulf of Mexico Drive will provide an acceptable level of service. 

Wallwork said the intersection at Broadway and Gulf of Mexico Drive is dangerous.

“I observed pedestrians and bicyclists trying to cross several times, and there were several close calls,” Wallwork said. “One time I wondered if a bicyclist was actually going to make it across.”

A roundabout at Broadway is the safest option, Wallwork said. 

Wallwork recommends the Longboat Club Road roundabout, though, include a southbound right-hand turn lane to reduce delays. Another left-hand turn lane into the club is also recommended for peak traffic hours.

Bob Goodman, president of the Longboat Key Association, which manages Longboat Club Road, told commissioners there are a lot of variables for the roundabout.

“We’re talking about 400 more residents coming over the next couple of years, in the form of visitors or new residents, increasing road usage by 40% (if a new club project is eventually submitted and approved),” Goodman said. “You have to look at the whole picture of Longboat Club Road. It’s a safety issue, and right now cars are lined up 10 deep to turn north or south at the intersection. Don’t do something too late, like at University Parkway.”

Town Manager Dave Bullock said the purpose of Wallwork’s work was to see if roundabouts are a good option. The commission unanimously directed Bullock to begin discussions with FDOT regarding the roundabouts. 

Price estimates for the roundabouts will also be performed as a part of the next step. 

Bullock said he believes funding partnerships exist with Ocean Properties for a Longboat Club Road roundabout when Ocean Properties submits a future Islandside renovation project to the town.

The roundabout concept was proposed last year after FDOT declined to make Broadway eligible for a crosswalk option, citing it was too dangerous because of the curve in the road.